Gluing mechanism for a carton closing machine



3,088,433 GLUING NEcHANIsM FOR A CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1e, 1960 May 7, 1963 J. H. WALTER ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO JOSEPH H.. CURTISS S- BY ATTORNEYS May 7,1963 J. H. WALTER ETAL 3,088,433

GLUING MECHANISM FOR A CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F l G 3 c V I ff 7 INVENTORS JOSEPH H- WALTER j CURTISS S- JOHNSON,JR.

ATTORNEYS May 7, 1963 J. H. WALTER ETAL 3,088,433

GLUINC MECHANISM FOR A CARTON CLOSING MACHINE INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Uited States Patent Oiice spaans Patented May 7, 1963 3,088,433 GLUKNG MECHANESM FR A CARTON CLSENG MACHINE Joseph H. Waiter, Haddam, and Curtiss S. Johnson, nJr.,

Middie Haddarn, Conn., assignors to Emhart Manuracturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Deiaware Filed Feb. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 9,009 7 Claims. (Cl. 11S--1) This invention relates to an improvement in a carton or case closing machine Iand more particularly to a mechanism for applying glue where needed to the carton flaps in such machine, the gluing mechanism being such that it can be incorporated in 'the initial construction of the machine or it can be applied with little di'iculty to an existing machine.

An object of the invention is -to provide a gluing mechanism which operates automatically to apply glue to the flaps of a `carton to be closed but only where the glue is nee ded.

A further object is to provide a gluing mechanism of the type mentioned which is capable of precise control so that glue can be applied to carton flaps over substantially the entire area of the flaps if desired or just over portions thereof as desired.

A further object of the invention is -to provide a gluing mechanism which will not become clogged with hardened glue built up during periods when no carton is in the gluing station.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gluing mechanism which operates automatically to stop the tlow of glue in the event the movement of cartons through the mechanism is stopped with a carton in the gluing station.

A still further object of lthe invention is to provide a gluing mechanism having the characteristics set forth above and which is simple yand economical in construction and requires little if Aany maintenance.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention :and such embodiment Will be described, 'but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, :and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. l is 4a schematic side elevational View of a carton or case closing machine and which includes the gluing mechanism of the present invention, with parts of the machine being deleted to clarify the `disclosure of the gluing mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine as shown in FIG. l, with additional parts of the machine omitted to reveal more of the gluing mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan View of one glue applying head forming a part of the gluing mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is .a side elevational view ofthe glue applicator head shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional View, still further enlarged, of the glue applicator head shown in FIG. 3 and taken on a plane through the longitudinal axis of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is `a cross-sectional view of the glue applicator nozzle taken 'as indicated by the line `6 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is 1a cross-sectional view of the glue applicator nozzle taken as indicated by the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic View showing the control system employed rto effect automatic :operation of the gluing mechanism.

Carton or case closing machines such as that shown 2 schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2 :are generally associated with case loading `or packing machines which are operated to place the articles within the cartons or cases. The oase loading and case closing machines may comprise units of a composite machine or they may be independent machines. Except for the gluing mechanism which will be described in detail, `the case `closing machine may be considered to be conventional.

As shown in the drawings, the case closing machine is an independent unit which is positioned to receive cases to be closed after the cases have been filled at la case loading machine. The filled cases C, C are advanced in a line by la 'conveyor indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 toward the receiving end of the case closing machine which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 12. A roller conveyor shown at 114 may be provided rat the receiving end (right-hand end) of the ca-se closing machine to receive the cases C, C in line and one ata time from the conveyor .10. The roller conveyor 114 is not driven Iand is utilized merely to receive the cases and to position them so that they can be advanced by driven conveyor means and thus moved from right to left through the machine.

The driven conveyor may comprise a pair of parallel, spaced apart endless chains 16, 16 which are entrained on sprockets 18, -18 keyed to shaft 20, 20 which are journaled at opposite ends of the machine lf2.. -It will be observed that said shafts :and sprockets 'are arranged so Ithat Ithe upper runs of the parallel conveyor chains 16, 16 fare in a horizontal plane above the bed portion Z2 of the machine frame and above the roller conveyor 14 at the right-hand end of the machine. The lower or return runs lof the parallel conveyor chains are also in a generally horizontal plane but below the machine bed 22, the Isaid conveyor chains passing over idler sprockets 24, 24 which support the said chains below the machine bed. Attached to the conveyor chains l16, 16 are a plurality of flight bars `26, 26 which extend transversely between .the two chains rand which lare located at equally spaced locations along the length thereof. These Hight bars are arranged to engage the cartons in order on the roller conveyor |14 and to push them from right lto lett through the case closing machine :12, the cartons or cases C, C being supported on and slid along a plate 28 extending longitudinally of the machine slightly above the bed .22 of the frame thereof. The conveyor chains 16, 16 4are driven by an electric motor 30 which effects ya driving engagement with one of the :conveyor shafts 20, 20 as by a chain and sprocket unit 32. Thus, the cases C, C are moved in timed relationship through the case closing machine 1.2.

The leases when Iadvanced to `closing machines may be closed at the bottom with only their top aps open, or they may be open at the top and bottom. For purposes of illustra-tion, this case closing `and gluing machine has been shown as adapted to close and glue only .the top aps. The said cases 'are rectangular in form and have four top flaps, these including a front inner flap 34 and a rear inner flap 36 which fold about edges of the carton extending transversely of the conveyor. There are also a pair of side or outer aps 38, 38 which fold on the longitudinal side edges of each case ove-r the inner aps 34, 36.

As each `case C is moved from the receiving end of the machine longitudinally thereof toward the lett along the plate or platform 28, the front inner ilap 34 is engaged `and folded inwardly by a oamrning device 40 commonly referred :to as ra plow. The side iiaps are engaged and spread outwardly by 1a pair of camming devices 42 commonly referred to as horns. The horns 42 hold the naps spread outwardly in substantially horizontal planes as each carton is moved to the gluing station of the machine where the glue lis applied lto the side flaps 38, 38 as will hereinafter be described. The rear inner flap 36 is folded inwardly by a tucker arm 44 which is pivotally supported over the conveyor and the platform 28 and over the cases moving therealong. The tucker or kicker arm 44 is oscillated in timed relationship to movement of the cases, this being provided by a plurality of valves indicated generally by Ithe reference numeral 46 (FIG. 2) which are acted upon by a plurality of cams 48 secured to and rotated with a conveyor chain sprocket `shaft 20.

Thus, when glue is applied to the spread outer flaps 38, 38 on each carton in the machine, the inner aps 34 and 36 have been folded inwardly by the plow 40 and kicker arm 44. After the glue has been applied to the outer aps or side aps 38, 3S they are folded back inwardly on top of the inner aps 34, 36 by a second pair of horns or plows 50, 50 near the left-hand end of the machine and the cartons are then moved onto a compression unit which applies pressure to the carton flaps to be sure that they remain closed and glued.

Turning now to Ithe gluing mechanism, attention is directed to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrating the glue applicator heads. As shown in FIG. 2, there are two glue applicator heads indicated generally by the reference numerals 52, 52, there being one head for each outer ap or side ap of the cartons or cases C, C being worked upon. Since the glue applicator heads 52, 52 are similar, except that one is right-hand and the other left-hand when viewed longitudinally of the machine, it will only be necessary to describe one in detail.

With reference to the left-hand applicator head 52 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and which is the lowermost applicator head in FIG. 2, it will be observed that this head includes a mounting bracket 54 which may be secured to the frame of the machine in any manner described to support it above the cases passing therethrough but spaced outwardly from the left-hand side thereof. Preferably, the bracket 54 is supported on a rod 55 carried transversely of the machine in a horizontal plane by a pair of vertically adjustable members 57, 57 mounted on frame posts 59, 59 located at the sides of the machine. The rod 55 may also be used to vertically adjustably support the horns 42, 42 over the conveyor and travelling cases.

The forward portion of the mounting bracket 54, as shown in FIG. 3, is elongated transversely of the gluing mechanism and includes a guide 60. A boxlike nozzle supporting frame 61 is slidably received by guide 60 and adjustably secured thereto by a thumb screw 62. The frame 61 includes two opposed side walls 63, 63 between which is mounted the nozzle unit referred to in general -by the reference numeral 64. As best seen in FIGS. and 6, the nozzle unit 64 includes a hollow housing 65 pivotally supported between the side walls 6 3, 63 by two screws 66, 66 having journal portions 67, 67 on their inner ends which engage openings in the nozzle housing 65. The nozzle housing is pivotally moved about these journal portions 67, 67 by a pneumatic motor 68 mounted to the upper forward wall 69 of the frame 61.

The motor 68, as shown schematically in FIG. 8, is of the conventional double Vacting type including a cylinder 70, a piston 71 and a piston rod 72 extending from one end of the cylinder. On the outer end of the piston rod 72 is a clevis 73 provided with a pin 74 which extends through the arms of the clevis and a slot 75 in the upper end of an arm 76 on the nozzle housing 65. From FIG. 5, it will be evident that movement of the piston rod 72 to the right will pivot the lower end of the nozzle housing 65 upwardly while movement of the rod to the left will pivot the same downwardly. The end limits of this pivotal movement are determined by two bolts 77 and 78 threaded into the forward wall 69 of the frame, as shown in FIG. 5, the head of the bolt 77 engaging the nozzle housing to limit its upward movement and the inner end of the bolt 78 engaging the arm 76 to limit the downward movement. Both of the volts 77 and 78 are locked to the frame by nuts 79, 79 and may be threaded into or out of the frame to various positions to adjust the end limits of the nozzle housing movement.

To hold the nozzle housing in its lowered position in the event of air failure, a tension spring 80 may be connected between the nozzle housing 65 and the frame 61, as indicated in FIG. 5. This spring will aid the motor 68 when the piston is moved -to lower the lower end of the nozzle housing and will oppose its movement when raising the lower end of the nozzle housing.

Within the nozzle housing 65 is a nozzle, indicated generally by the reference character 81, which extends lbeyond the lower end of the housing 65 and into the path of the moving flaps when the housing is -in the lower position shown in FIG. 5 and by the solid lines of FIG. 4. The upper end 82 of the nozzle is threaded into a connector 83 secured to the housing by a set screw 84. 'Ihe upper end of the connector 83 receives a flexible glue feed conduit 85 for supplying glue under pressure from a source of glue (not shown).

In applying glue to the side aps 38, 38 it is desirable to apply it only to the front portions thereof which engage the front inner flap 34 and to the rear portions thereof which engage the rear inner Hap 36 leaving the intermediate portions of the side or inner aps without glue so that the contents of the case will not come in contact with glue. In accordance with the present invention, when the nozzle 81 is in its lower position (the full line position of FIG. 4), it is ready to apply glue and when it is in its uppermost broken line position it cannot apply glue to the side ap. In further accord with the invention, the nozzle 81 is normally held down to apply glue to the front portion of the side flap and then elevated by the motor 68 to skip the central portion of the side flap and then pivoted downwardly by the motor 68 to apply glue to the rear portion of the side ap and to the front portion of the next case in line. Only when the opposed edges of the inner aps 34 and 36 abut each other when closed should glue be applied to the entire surface of the side flap.

As will be observed by reference to FIG. 3, the nozzle 81 includes an elongated tip 86 which extends transversely of the machine to engage the side flap 38 over a substantial portion of its width. It will also be observed with reference to FIG. 4 that the side flap 38 is held spread outwardly by the plow or horn `42. so that the nozzle 8l can engage it while it is so spread. As the case advances, the left-hand side ap 38 moves from beneath the plow 42 and over generally horizontally disposed guide plates 87, 87 to the broken line position shown in FIG. 4. In so doing, the side ap 38 engages the nozzle `81 in its full line position, as shown in FIG. 4, and thrusts it upwardly a slight amount by exing it, as hereinafter described, to the lowermost broken line position thereof. In so doing, a flow valve is opened, as will be described, to cause glue to ow through the nozzle. The glue flowing through the nozzle is spread on the flap 38 in a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending lines because the glue ows through a plurality of spaced apertures or orifices 88, 88 (FIGS. 5 and 7), which are spaced along the length of the transversely extending nozzle tip 86. The glue, of course, flows into the nozzle from the feed conduit 85 through the connector 83 and the body of the nozzle to the tip 86.

Turning now to the structure of the nozzle 81 and to the valve incorporated therein, attention is directed to FIG. 5. As shown, the nozzle and the valve are substantially of the type illustrated in the Warren Patents 2,694,211 and 2,877,480 to which reference may be had to supplement the present brief description thereof. A nozzle of this type includes a resiliently flexible and tubular body member `89 which, in the present case, is located within the nozzle housing 65.

The valve assembly includes a rigid tubular housing 90 which is threaded at one end to receive a fitting 91, which receives the nozzle tip 86, and connected at its other end to the lower end of the liexible body 89. A valve operating rod 92 having a head 93 at one end and a spherical tip 94 at the other end projects from the flexible body 89 into the housing 90. The spherical end 94 of the valve operating rod is seated in the corresponding end of a socket provided on an extension 96 of an annular valve member 98 which is biased by a spring 100 toward a seated position on an annular valve seat 102 secured within the valve housing 90 adjacent the inner end of the bored erung 91.

When the resilient body 89 is not iiexed, the valve operating rod 92 is disposed substantially coincident with the axis thereof and the valve 98 is seated or closed. However, when the body 89 is iiexed, as Shown by the solid lines of FIG. 5, the head 93 on the valve operating rod 92 engages the inner wall of the -body 89 to displace and open the valve member 98.

This flexing of the body 89 is caused in the gluing mechanism of this invention, as mentioned above, yby a carton side flap 38 engaging the nozzle tip as the carton or case reaches the glue section of the machine. That is, when the nozzle 81 is thrust downwardly, by pivotal movement of its housing 65 to the full line position shown in FIG. 4, the tlow valve 98 is closed because the body 89 is uniiexed. Then when a side liap 38 engages the nozzle in the advancement of its carton the nozzle is thrust upwardly to the lowermost broken line position shown in FIG. 4, and in so doing the nozzle body 89 is bent or tiexed to open the valve 98 for the flow of glue to the nozzle tip 86. Glue will continue to flow through the valve and the nozzle tip onto the side iiap as long as there is a side liap'positioned beneath the nozzle unless the motor 68 is operated to pivot the nozzle and nozzle housing upwardly to the uppermost broken line position of FIG. 4. This upward pivoting movement of the nozzle by the motor 68 is eiiected automatically by means which will now be described in order to avoid the application of glue to the central portion of the side flap.

Associated with the pneumatic motor 68, as shown schematically in FIG. 8, is a directional valve 104 having a body 105 with an inlet port 106 connected to a suitable source of pressurized air (not shown), two outlet ports 107 and 108 connected iby lines 109 and 110 to the head and base ends of the motor cylinder 70, respectively, and an exhaust port 111. Within the body 105 of the valve 104 is a valve spool 112 shiftable between two positions at which the lines 109 and 110 are alternately placed in communication with the exhaust port 111 and the inlet port 106. That is, with the spool 112 moved to the left-hand position, shown by the full lines of FIG. 8, the line 109 is in communication with the inlet port 106 and the line 110 with the exhaust port 111, whereby the head end of the motor cylinder 70 is pressurized and the base end vented causing the piston 71 to move to the left and pivoting the nozzle housing 65 downwardly toward the moving liaps 38. Likewise, when the spool 112 is moved to the right-hand position shown by the broken lines of FIG. 8, the line 110 is placed in communication with the iiuid pressure source and the line i109 is vented through the exhaust port 111. This, in turn, causes the base end of the cylinder 70 to be pressurized and the head end to be vented so that the piston wil move to the right and raise the nozzle out of the path of the moving flaps.

The spool 1-12 is biased towards the position corresponding to the lowered position of the nozzle 81, as by a tension spring 114 connected to a spool extension 115, and is moved to the position corresponding to the raised position of the nozzle by energization of a solenoid such as the solenoid 116 surrounding the spool extension 115. The solenoid 116 is connected directly to the electrical supply line L2 by the line 117 and to the supply line L1 by two separate control circuits.

The -rst of these two control circuits provides for energization and de-energization of the solenoid 116 in timed relationship to the movement of the cases C, C through the gluting mechanism to cause movement of the nozzle out of the path of the liaps of the moving cases and back again so as to skip the application of glue over a portion of each iiap moving along such path. As shown schematically lby FIG. 8, this circuit includes the line 118, the normally open switch 119 and the line 120 which contains a pair of normally closed contacts CR-la. The circuit also includes the line 121, the normally open switch 122 and the line 123, the lines 121 and 123 being connected to the supply lines L2 and L1, respectively, with the line 121 also containing the control relay CR-l The lines 120 and 121 are connected by an additional line 124 which contains a pair of normally open contacts CR-1b, both the contacts C11-1a and CR-1b being operated by the relay CR-l. The switch 119, as indicated schematically by FIG. 8, is located forwardly in the direction of case movement from the nozzle 81 and is actuated or closed by engagement with each case advancing past its location, while the switch 122 is located rearwardly of the nozzle and adapted to be actuated or closed by engagement with the ilight bars 26.

Considering the functioning of this first control circuit in conjunction with a case C moving through the gluing mechanism,'it will be understood by reference to FIG. 8 that as a case is advanced by one of the flight bars 26 each outwardly spread flap 38 thereof will engage the associated lowered nozzle 81 and flex it upwardly to initiate the application of glue to the leading portion of the iiap. As the case is advanced further it strikes the switch 119, closing the same and completing a circuit through the normally closed contact CR-la to the solenoid 116. The solenoid is thus energized causing the valve 112 and motor 68 to operate and pivot the nozzle upwardly away from the iiap 38, thus interrupting the application of glue thereto. At this time the nozzle assumes its normal untlexed condition so that no glue flows therefrom.

After still further movement of the case through the machine, the liight bar 26 associated therewith will strike and close the switch 122 and complete a circuit through the control relay CR-l, causing the contacts CR-la to be opened and the contacts CR-1b to be closed. The opening of the contacts CR-1a breaks the circuit to the solenoid 116 and thus causes the nozzle to ybe brought back into engagement with the flap to resume the application of glue thereto. The closing of the contacts CR-lb completes a holding circuit to the relay CR-l. So long as the switch 119 remains actuated `by a case travelling thereover the holding circuit will remain completed and the contacts CR-la will remain open, de-energizing the solenoid 116 and thereby keeping the nozzle in its lowered position. When the case passes the location of the switch 119, the switch opens and -breaks the circuit to the control relay CR-l which returns the contacts CR-ltz to their normal closed position and the contacts CR-1b to their normal open position. The closing of the contacts CR-la, however, does not energize the solenoid 116 due to the 4fact that the switch 119 is now open. The nozzle 81 will therefore remain in its lowered position in anticipation of the next succeeding case ap.

The second control circuit for connecting the solenoid 116 to the supply line L1 operates to raise the nozzle 81, and to thereby shut oii the flow of glue to prevent spillage, if the movement of the cases is stopped while the nozzle is in engagement with a flap. Referring to FIG. 8, this circuit consists of the line 125, the normally open switch 126, and the line 127 which contains a pair of normally open contacts 31a. The contacts 31a are operated by a current overload relay 31 operatively associated with the drive motor 30 to close the contacts 31a when an excessive current is drawn by the motor, the contacts 31a remaining open during normal operation of the gluing mechanism when normal current is drawn by the motor. The switch 126, on the other hand, is adapted to be actuated or closed by engagement with a case C moving through the machine and is located directly in line with the glue nozzle 81 so as to be closed whenever any part of a case flap is in gluing position with respect to the nozzle. That is, whenever the nozzle is in engagement with a case ap, and thereby flexed to permit the flow of glue therefrom, the switch 126 is closed to condition the solenoid 116 for immediate operation when the contacts 31a are subsequently closed by actuation of the overload relay 31. Actuation of the relay 31 occurs whenever the motor 30 is stalled and caused -to draw heavy current by a stoppage in the movement of the cases C, C through the gluing mechanism. Therefore, if the movement of the cases stops while one of the case flaps is in position for gluing, the solenoid 116 will be actuated and the nozzle raised to its elevated position to terminate the flow of glue.

`If the movement of the cases is stopped while no flap is in engagement with the nozzle, the switch 126 will not be actuated and the nozzle will not be raised. Under this condition, however, no glue will flow from the nozzle since it is not bent or flexed from its normal condition as required for flow. Of course, if the case movement is stopped while the nozzle is in its raised position for skipping the application of `glue to a portion of a ap, both of the solenoid control circuits will be completed when the stoppage occurs and will remain completed to hold the nozzle elevated until the case movement is resumed.

Although in FIG. 8 the control system has been shown in associated with only one of the nozzles 81, it will Ibe understood that only one such control circuit is required for both of the glue heads. The lines 109` and 110 actually are connected to both of the pneumatic motors 68, with the motors in parallel, so that the right and lefthand nozzles are moved similarly and simultaneously in response to the operation of the valve 104 by the solenoid 116.

In further accord with the present invention, means are also provided to prevent freeze-up or clogging of the nozzles due to hardening of the glue during periods of non-use. This means includes a well 125 (FIGS. 3 and 4) positioned adjacent each glue applicator head to carry a supply of water or other liquid which wets a wick 126 engaged by the associated nozzle 81 when the nozzle is in its normal unexed position in the path of movement of the flaps of the advancing cases, as shown by the full lines of FIG. 4. More specifically, the well 125 is positioned at the outer side of the glue applicator head and the wick 126 extends upwardly therefrom and then horizontally in a tray 127 which is supported transversely of the machine below the spaced apart portion 128 of the guide plates 87, 87, as shown in FIG. 4. The tray and wick are supported so that the nozzle orifices 88, 88 will engage the wick and remain moist to prevent the setting of glue thereon when the nozzle is in its lower position and out of engagement with a case flap.

While it is believed that the operation of the glue mechanism will be apparent from the foregoing description of the construction thereof, the said operation may be briefly summarized as follows:

When a carton or case C reaches the roller conveyor 14 on the carton closing machine 12, it is placed in position to be engaged by a flight bar 26 carried by the driven conveyor chains 16, 16. The flight bar then propels the case through the machine in timed relation to the rotation of the sprocket shaft 20. When the case reaches the gluing station its forward end and its spread flaps 38, 38 simultaneously engage the switch 126 and the lowered nozzles 81, 81. Operation of the switch 126, however, has no effect at this time because of the open contacts 31a in the second control circuit. Engagement of the aps 38, 38 with the nozzles 81, 81, on the other hand, thrusts the nozzles upwardly and opens the valves therein, initiating the application of glue to the leading portions of the flaps with the glue flowing through the orifices 88 in the nozzle tips 86. As the case continues its movement through the gluing station the application of glue will continue until the case strikes the switch 119 and thereby energizes the solenoid 116 to operate the directional valve 104, and consequently the motors 68, 68 to raise both of the nozzles above the liaps 38, 38. The nozzles then assume their normal unflexed condition, closing the valves therein and terminating the ow of glue from the nozzle orifices. Preferably the switch 119 is so located along the path of movement of the cases that the nozzles are raised after glue has been spread on approximately the first third of the flaps 38, 38; that is, the portions of the flaps which engage the front inner flap 34 when the flaps are sealed.

The nozzles 81, 81 remain in their raised, non-gluing position until the case C is moved a further distance through the gluing station and until the flight bar 26 associated with the case strikes the switch 122. This breaks the circuit to the solenoid 116 and causes operation of the valve 104 and motors 68 to return the nozzles to their lowered positions in engagement with the trailing portions of the aps 38, 38. The length of time that the nozzles remain in their elevated positions is preferably such that no `glue is applied to the middle portions of the flaps 38, 38 which are associated with the space between the inner flaps 34 and 36 when the case is closed. After the trailing edges of the flaps 38, 38 pass beyond the nozzles, the nozzles remain in their lowered positions but, `being out of engagement with the flaps, flex downward to their normal unbent condition and shut off the flow of glue through the orifices. As the nozzles return to their unbent condition, the nozzle tips 86 thereof come in contact with the wicks 126, 126 which maintain the same in a moist conditionto prevent the setting of glue thereon during periods of non-use when no flaps are inthe gluing section.

Of course, when cases are lbeing handled in which no space occurs between the opposed edges of the inner aps 34 and 36, the switch 122 may be omitted or removed from the path of the ight bars 126 so that the nozzles will not be raised during normal movement of the cases through the machine. As a result, glue will be spread ovei the entire length of the flaps 38, 38, as is desirable in this situation.

Should the movement of the cases through the machine be stopped while a case is in the gluing station with the nozzles 81, 81 flexed for the application of glue, the consequent stalling of the motor 30 will cause the current overload relay 31 to close the contacts 31a in the second solenoid control circuit. Since the switch 126 is already closed by the presence of a case inthe rgluing station, the solenoid `116 will be energized to raise the nozzles and to thereby prevent the further ow of glue therefrom.

The invention claimed is:

1. Gluing mechanism for a case closing machine which handles a succession of moving cases each having at least one flap disposed for the application of glue thereto, said mechanism comprising a glue applicator nozzle connectible with a source of glue under pressure and which nozzle includes a valve which permits glue to ow there from only when the nozzle is engaged by a flap of a moving case, movable means for supporting said nozzle in a position in the path of movement of the flaps of the moving cases to be engaged :and operated thereby and in a position out of the said path of movement, and means operatively associated with said nozzle support means to place the nozzle selectively in each of its two said posi tions and including control means normally holding said nozzle in the said path of movement but being operable in response to ythe movement of a case past the location of. said nozzle to move the nozzle out of the said path and to return it to its normal position whereby to skip the application of glue overa pontion of each ap moving along the said path.

2. Gluing mechanism as set forth in claim 1 and Iwherein means is provided to maintain the nozzle in a moist condition to prevent glue from setting thereon during nonuse thereof, said means being supported for engagement by the nozzle while in its normal position in .the said path of movement and out of engagement with a ap.

3. Gluing mechanism for a case closing machine which handles "a succession of moving cases each having yat least one flap disposed for the application of glue thereto, said mechanism comprising a vglue applicator nozzle connectible with Ia source of glue under pressure and which nozzle includes 'a valve which permits glue t-o flow there- `from only when the nozzle is engaged by a ilap of la moving case, movable means for supporting said nozzle in a position in the path of movement of the aps of the moving cases to be engaged and operated thereby and in a position out of the said path of movement, fluid pressure means operatively associated with said nozzle support means to place the nozzle selectively in each of its two positions, a Isource of fluid pressure for said uid pressure means, land valve means interposed between the pressure responsive means and its fluid pressure source operable in timed relationship to the movement of each case past the location of said nozzle to cause said nozzle to move out of the said path yand to return to position in the said path whereby to skip the application of glue over a portion of each flap moving along the said path.

4. Gluing mechanism for a case closing machine which handles a succession of moving cases each having at least one flap disposed for the application of glue thereto, said mechanism comprising a glue applicator nozzle connectib-le with la source of glue under pressure and which nozzle includes a valve which permits glue to flow therefrom only when the nozzle is engaged by a flap of a moving case, movable means for supporting said nozzle in a position in the path of movement of the -aps of the moving cases to be engaged and operated thereby and in a position out of the said path of movement, fluid pressure means operatively associated with said nozzle support means to place the nozzle selectively in each of its two positions, a iluid pressure source for said uid pressure means, and valve means interposed between the fluid pressure means `and its fluid pressure source operable in response to the movement of a case past the location of said nozzle to cause said nozzle to move out of the said path land to return to position in the said path whereby to skip the application of glue over a portion of each flap moving along the said path.

5. Gluing mechanism as set forth in claim 4 and wherein means is provided to maintain the nozzle in a moist condition to prevent glue from setting thereon durin-g non-use thereof, the said means being supported for en- 5 -gagement by the nozzle when the latter is positioned in the said path of movement and out of engagement with a ap.

6. Gluing mechanism as deiined in claim 4 further characterized by means responsive to movement of the cases for operating said valve means to cause said nozzle to move out of .the said path when the move-ment of lthe cases is stopped with a ilap in engagement with said nozzle.

7. Gluing mechanism for a case closing machine which handles a succession `of moving cases each having at least one flap disposed for the application of glue thereto, Asaid mechanism comprising 'la glue 'applicator nozzle connectible with a source of glue under pressure and which nozzle includes a valve which permits glue to `flow therefrom only when the nozzle is engaged by a i-ap of a moving case, means for supporting said nozzle for limited movement between two end positions located, respectively, in and out of the path of movement of the flaps of the moving cases, means lfor ladjusting each of said two end positions of Isaid nozzle movement, fluid pressure means operatively associated with said nozzle support means to place the nozzle selectively in each of its two end positions, -a source of fluid pressure for said -uid pressure means, and valve means interposed between said fluid 30 pressure means and its fluid pressure source normally positioned to hold said nozzle in the said path for engagement and operation by a ap of a moving case but being operable in timed relationship to the movement of each case past the location of said nozzle to cause move- 35 ment of the said nozzle out of the said path and then back into the said path whereby to skip the application of glue over a portion of each ap moving :along the said path.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,081,911 Coppins June 1, 1937 2,111,865 MacKenzie Mar. Q2, 1938 2,347,445 Von Hofe Apr. 25, 1944 2,533,704 Zanetti Dec. 12, 1950 2,548,456 Wells Apr. 10, 1951 2,557,696 Schaeffer lune 19, 1951 2,585,330 Kayser Feb. l2, 1952 2,625,085 Bergstein Ian. 13, 1953 2,804,043 Netzley Aug. 27, 1957 2,811,943 Ferguson et al. Nov. 5, 1957 '2,877,480 Warren Mar. 17, 1959 2,898,820 Keely Aug. 11, 1959 

1. GLUING MECHANISM FOR A CASE CLOSING MACHINE WHICH HANDLES A SUCCESSION OF MOVING CASES EACH HAVING AT LEAST ONE FLAP A DISPOSE FOR THE APPLICATION OF GLUE THERETO, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A GLUE APPLICATOR NOZZLE CONNECTIBLE WITH A SOURCE OF GLUE UNDER PRESSURE AND WHICH NOZZLE INCLUDES A VALVE WHICH PERMITS GLUE TO FLOW THEREFROM ONLY WHEN THE NOZZLE IS ENGAGED BY A FLAP OF A MOVING CASE, MOVABLE MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID NOZZLE IN A POSITION IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE FLAPS OF THE MOVING CASES TO BE ENGAGED AND OPERATED THEREBY AND IN A POSTION OUT OF THE SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID NOZZLE SUPPORT MEANS TO PLACE THE NOZZLE SELECTIVELY IN EACH OF ITS TWO SAID POSITIONS AND INCLUDING CONTROL MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING SAID NOZZLE IN THE SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT BUT BEING OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO THE MOVEMENT OF A CASE PAST THE LOCATION OF SAID NOZZLE TO MOVE THE NOZZLE OUT OF THE SAID PATH AND TO RETURN IT TO ITS NORMAL POSITION WHEREBY TO SKIP THE APPLICATION OF GLUE OVER A PORTION OF EACH FLAP MOVING ALONG THE SAID PATH. 